Santa Cruz boosts Blackburn's top-six bid
Given that Blackburn's joint-top Premier League goalscorers this season are Nikola Kalinic and Morten Gamst Pedersen with four apiece, it was clear that a new striker would have to be a priority in the transfer window and it is looking increasingly likely that Roque Santa Cruz will be that man.
The Paraguayan forward, who scored 19 goals for the club in 2007-08 after being signed for £3.8 million by Mark Hughes before being reunited with Sparky at Manchester City after an injury-hit second campaign, is close to completing a loan move, Citizens boss Roberto Mancini has confirmed.
The title hopefuls spent £17.5 million on the former Bayern Munich attacker yet the 29-year-old has started only six league matches in 18 months at Eastlands due to a combination of injuries, lack of form and failing to impress Mancini following his arrival.
A loan return - presumably with an option to buy if he regains fitness and form back at Ewood Park - appears to represent shrewd business for Rovers, whose new owners The Venky's Group and manager Steve Kean have talked of aiming for the top six but don't intend to splash too much cash.
Santa Cruz was linked with Serie A side Lazio earlier in the month, though he wasn't keen on a short-term switch to another country and reportedly decided that the opportunity to stay in the north-west and play for a team where he is already popular was too good to turn down.
Rovers are [3.2] to finish in the top half and [38.0] to take advantage of Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa's struggles by claiming a top-six berth.
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Published: 13 Jan 2011
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